Kenny Chesney’s ‘Whiskey’ Had a Second Shot

After taking a year off from touring, Kenny Chesney still worked hard at making a pair of documentary films, a live 3D concert movie and recording and releasing a new album. The record, ‘Hemingway’s Whiskey,’ scored an ACM nomination for Album of the Year, and the four-time ACM Entertainer of the Year is also up for four more awards including Single and Video of the Year for ‘The Boys of Fall.’

The Tennessee native is grateful for the extra time he spent in the studio to make the kind of album he did with ‘Hemingway’s Whiskey.’ In fact, he may have recorded nearly two albums worth of material.

“I’m very proud of the fact that the album was nominated, because I took a lot of extra time with ‘Hemingsway’s Whiskey,’” Kenny tells The Boot. “I had a whole other album done and almost turned it in, and I realized that in my heart of hearts, I knew that that album wasn’t right. And I scrapped all of it except for ‘Boys of Fall,’ ‘Somewhere With You’ and a song called ‘Seven Days.’ Those were the only songs I kept from the original sessions, and I went to work again, [producer] Buddy Cannon and I.

“Because I didn’t tour, I was afforded the luxury of time,” Kenny continues. “We get so caught up in a cycle and having a record done when you’re supposed to have it done, just because it’s time — every 18 months or 12 or whatever. I didn’t have to do that this time. That’s why I’m really excited about the album nomination — I’m excited about all of them — but that one’s extra special because Buddy and I really had the opportunity to take our time and make it right. So, I’m excited about the opportunity for this record.”